Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Childlike Faith



I love to see things through the simple eyes of my children. At the memorial service in Florida, one of the speakers told the story of a conversation my two older boys had with their Pop. I did not know the story, so it was very fun for me to hear it!

Imagine Pop walking flanked on each side by cute little red-headed, freckle faced boys. JCT looks up at Pop and asks, "Pop can you fall out of heaven?" Pop hesitates for a second. And, before he could come up with an answer, Joshua says,


"Well, if you did, Jesus would catch you."


Simple as that.



I love it. You are safe. Jesus is there, so you are safe. No matter if you fall, no matter if you fly, you are safe. Jesus will catch you.



If only we could all truly believe that deep into the inner-most parts of our hearts. If only we could believe that we were truly safe ~ that falling is okay, that failing is okay, because He is there ready to catch us.


Oh, don't let me get deep! We are talking about simple faith ~ like the faith of a child.


It rained a good bit yesterday, and for a couple hours I was alone at home with Joshua. We were working on school work. I left the room for a moment, and when I came back over to check his work, he said excitedly, "I have an idea!"



"What is it?" I asked.



"Well, we could write a note to Grandma on a piece of paper. Then, we could attatch the paper to a balloon, and we could go outside and let it go! And, it would float up to heaven!!!!!"



Now what do you say to that? I am perfectly aware that heaven is not a place located just above the clouds. But, right or wrong, I didn't have the heart to tell him that. And, if he wanted to send a note to his Grandma, I wasn't about to tell him that he couldn't do it. I simply could not burst his sweet little bubble!



So, I said, "Joshua, that is a great idea! We can do that tomorrow if you'd like?"



I went out and bought helium filled balloons for he and JCT. And, they wrote their own little notes. . .






Then, we headed outside to let the balloons fly free. . .




The release. . .






It was truly beautiful to watch them ascend. The notes shimmered and shined like mirrors as they got closer and closer to the clouds.




The boys ran around the yard watching the balloons go higher and higher. . .




It was very fun and very sweet. And, throughout the evening, I heard Joshua talking aloud to God, praying, "God, please let our messages get to Grandma. Please let her get our messages."


She will not be forgotten. She will be missed ~ by many, but for certain by two cute little red-headed, freckle-faced little boys!

9 comments:

Georgia Peach said...

Oh, how sweet and another tear jerker! She is truly missed by me too! There will never be another one like her, she was the best!!!

Brenda said...

Erin,
I love your descriptive blogs. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us journey with you.
I miss Retia terribly. I was counting on many years for our friendship to grow. She was one of the most genuine people I have ever met.
It was a joy to meet you and your family at the service in Orlando. We love all of you Dukes!
Brenda Faulkner

Sam said...

I feel certain she got their sweet notes. What a wonderful thing to do.

FaceforGrace said...

I have no doubt that she got their messages! How sweet! Every year after Bayli's birthday parties she lets her balloons go "up to heaven" to Jesus- (her idea a few years back) I always have envisioned that they were going to the babies we've lost. Maybe it's simple minded, but as a parent it is comforting to think of them watching the balloons coming from their sister.

Christi said...

Precious boys! What a sweet post.

Jill said...

I love how real heaven is to kids. How they have no doubts. That child like faith just touches my heart.
When my 97 year old grandmother died in May of this year my kids were really sad, but at the same time it was so awesome to share the hope and promise of her joy in heaven.
My now 4 year old said I'd wish her back to earth but she'd say no way I'm busy with Jesus.

Malisa @ Sanity in Small Doses said...

Oh wow! That's an amazing story. I agree, I love how real heaven is to your boys. What a blessing!

Unknown said...

Such sweet boys!

Anonymous said...

love it! so sweet and innocent...may your little boys continue to be a blessing to you and Erik and your family...i'm still praying and asking GOd to bless your family with peace and joy amidst this hard time.


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Hi! I live in a sweet country home overflowing with love and laughter. I have been blessed to journey these days beside a man that I love, respect, and admire. He is my soul-mate and best friend. Together we are seeking to raise our seven children to be lovers of God, to be wise and discerning, and to be all that our sweet God created them to be.



 

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